In order to provide for adequate open spaces, and the admission thereto of light and air, and to provide adequate visibility to the operators of motor and other vehicles along public highways and at the intersection thereof, the setbacks provided for in Chapter 17.12 and in Section 17.32.040 of this chapter, are created and established as a part of a comprehensive system of yard setbacks covering the area within the city.

A person shall not use any building or structure, other than an open chain link type of fence, any part of which is closer to the adjacent boundary of the highway than as provided in Section 17.32.040 of this chapter, except:

A building or structure shall not be erected or maintained on a lot or parcel of land which abuts a highway having only a portion of its required width dedicated and where no part of such dedication would normally revert to said lot if the highway were vacated, unless the yards provided and maintained in connection with such building or structure have a width or depth of that portion of the lot or parcel of land needed to complete the highway width, plus the width or depths of the yards required on the lot or parcel of land by this title, if any. This section applies to all zones and applies whether this title requires yards or not. This section does not require a yard of such width or depth as to reduce the buildable depth of a corner lot less than forty feet. The council upon request shall determine the required street width.

In zones C, M, M-A, and MPB, building lines are established parallel to and thirty feet from the curb line of any street or highway, whether the street is improved or not.

In zones C and M, excepting therefrom permitted agricultural uses, outside storage shall not be permitted unless screened from view from nearby streets and adjacent property by a masonry wall, or an approved equal subject to the approval of the city engineer. The city council may permit outside display of merchandise for sale subject to such conditions as the council deems appropriate. In no case, however, shall outside storage or display be permitted without first submitting a plot plan to the city engineer, showing all existing and proposed buildings, uses and outside storage of display areas, and obtaining approval from the city council of such plot plan. The granting or denial of such permit shall be based upon a consideration by the city council of traffic, parking, sight line, fire hazard, rodent control, unsightliness and other similar criteria.